Braves announcer catches heat for getting woman’s phone number on air during game
The Atlanta Braves have struggled on the field early in the season, and now team dugout reporter Wiley Ballard may be in hot water for his interaction with female fans Monday. (Jason Getz/AJC 2023)
Braves dugout reporter Wiley Ballard has received some strong criticism for an on-air exchange with two women during the FanDuel Sports Network telecast of the Braves’ game against the Blue Jays on Monday night.
During the top of the fifth inning, Ballard, who often interviews fans from the stands at games, was talking with two women in a rooftop food and entertainment area at Rogers Centre in Toronto.
“I’m on it,” Ballard replied.
- “To get some more Braves fans,” announcer C.J. Nitkowski said.
- The dialogue quickly turned to the announcers in the booth encouraging Ballard to get the women’s phone numbers and Ballard saying, “I’m going to use that in the future. That’s a pretty good move.”
- One of the women entered her phone number into Ballard’s phone. Ballard then said, “I got the number. We’re good.”
- There was a strong reaction from people who thought that Ballard’s actions and the urging from the other Braves announcers showed a double standard, saying that a woman announcer would face strong criticism for doing what Ballard did.
- Neither Ballard nor Fan Duel Sports Network had issued a statement addressing the backlash as of noon Tuesday.
